NEWARK
— Sunoco, Inc. has voluntarily settled
a lawsuit filed in September 2005 by the
Attorney General’s Office, with
a portion of the settlement proceeds funding
an energy assistance program for low-income
residents, Attorney General Zulima V.
Farber and Consumer Affairs Director Kimberly
Ricketts announced today.
"We
are committed to protecting the interests
of New Jersey consumers, and that means
making sure that businesses operating
in the state adhere to our laws and treat
our consumers fairly," said Attorney
General Farber. "This settlement
shows that Sunoco is willing to meet those
obligations."
The Attorney General’s office filed
suit in September 2005 against Sunoco,
Amerada Hess, Motiva Shell, and various
independent gas station operators for
alleged violations of the State Motor
Fuels Act and Consumer Fraud Act.
In settling the lawsuit, Sunoco agreed
to adhere to state law regarding the pricing
of gasoline and the maintenance and availability
of business records. Both sides agreed
to settle the matter without any admission
of any violation having occurred.
Sunoco has agreed to make a settlement
payment of $325,000. These funds will
be used to reimburse state and county
investigative and legal costs. A portion
of the funds will also be used to fund
future consumer protection initiatives
at the Division of Consumer Affairs, with
$50,000 going to the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered
through the Department of Community Affairs,
which addresses the home heating needs
of low-income families in New Jersey.
"This
settlement is a good example of how New
Jersey can work hand in hand with businesses
that operate in our state to achieve a
productive outcome for our consumers,"
said Kimberly Ricketts, Director of the
Division of Consumer Affairs.
Assistant Attorney General Michael A.
Shipp and Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey
Koziar represented the State in the settlement
with Sunoco, Inc.
#
# #
